Causes And Symptoms Of Dog Yeast Skin Infections In Pearland, TX
Causes And Symptoms Of Dog Yeast Skin Infections In Pearland, TX
If you ’ ve noticed that your dog is often scratching itself, and the affected area is reddened, flakey or just irritated, then it’s possible your pup might have developed a dog yeast skin infection. Also known as yeast dermatitis, this condition occurs when yeast, a fungus, proliferates massively on your dog’s skin to the point of causing an imbalance. Dog yeast infection can also be called Malassezia dermatitis, and regardless of the name it goes by, getting your dog proper care should be seen as a priority.
While dog yeast skin infection is fairly common and not fatal, treating it can improve an affected dog’s quality of life. If left unattended, yeast infection can cause secondary problems that are actually avoidable. Restlessness, loss of appetite, reduced mobility and lack of energy in previously enjoyable activities are some manifestations of yeast infestation.
TypesofDog YeastInfection
Malassezia dermatitis aka dog yeast infection comes in different forms. These different types can affect various parts of a dog’s body as long as there’s skin covering the area.
1.) Skin Yeast Infections
2.) Paw Yeast Infections
3.) Ear Yeast Infections
1.) Skin Yeast Infections
This type of yeast infection usually occurs on a dog’s skin. Skin yeast dermatitis gives off a certain moldy scent that isn’t pleasant. The affected site is flakey, thickened and oily with significant fur loss on it. There’s likely to be a lot of itching and restlessness in your dog if it has skin yeast infections.
2.) Paw Yeast Infections
Yeast infections can occur on a dog’s paws. If your dog is often chewing or licking its paws, there might be yeast infections on its paws. Triggers are often due to allergies from the environment, things like pollen particles.
3.) Ear Yeast Infections
Dog yeast infection on the ear also known as yeast otitis can cause uncontrollable itching on affected dogs. A thick, dark discharge from the ear is usually a symptom of this type of ear yeast infection. If your dog is often shaking its head restlessly, ear yeast infection could be the culprit.
Causes of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Yeast infections can occur in dogs from different causes. Yeast, though naturally-occurring in living skin, can become problematic when it gets into wounds or overwhelms the skin. A pup dog with a weak immune system will suffer yeast infections more often too.
Environment – moist, contaminated areas with fungal spores present
Allergies like food, pollen, supplements
Parasites, e.g., fleas, mites and lice which cause wounds on the skin leading to secondary infections of yeast
Weak immune system
Poor hygiene
Swimming or over-exposure to moisture
Hot, moist weather conditions
How to Diagnose Yeast Dermatitis in Dogs
Diagnosing yeast dermatitis in dogs isn’t rocket science. It’s fairly easy to identify what’s wrong with a dog when the condition is yeast infection. As much as we don’t advocate for non-professional diagnosis, seeing several dog skin yeast infection pictures can quickly bring you up to speed on what yeast dermatitis looks like.
Below is a list of ways to diagnose dog yeast infection with relative ease:
Cotton Swab Sample
This involves using a moistened swab to run on the affected skin site to collect yeast samples.
Skin Biopsy
This involves taking up a tiny piece of affected skin with a tool known as a biopsy punch to run a test. A skin biopsy is one of the most accurate ways to diagnose dog yeast infection.
Skin Scraping
This diagnosis involves scraping of the affected skin with a dull blade to collect yeast samples from the dog.
Acetate Tape Preparation
Using acetate tape, a vet doc applies it on the affected site for some minutes to collect yeast samples off of it.
Use of an Impression Smear
A diagnosis involving use of a microscope slide pressed on the skin to collect samples of yeast pathogens.
Treatment of Yeast Dermatitis
Dog yeast skin infections are fairly easy to treat though there’s a risk of recurrence if causative factors aren’t eradicated. While visiting a pet clinic In Pearland is one sure way to treat yeast dermatitis, there are home remedies that can work. Treatment of dog yeast infections can be oral or topical depending on how the treatment works. Below are some treatment options to consider if your dog has yeast infection:
1.) Home Remedies
2.) Oral Treatment
3.) Topical Treatment
1.) Home Remedies
Home remedies might not be foolproof but they work great by preventing yeast infections from the onset. Some examples include:
Keeping your dog clean regularly; proper hygiene can go a long way
Cleaning your dog’s ears to remove dirt and ear wax which can breed yeast infections
Proper dieting to maintain your pet’s nutrient balance
Regular scheduled visit to a professional vet
2.) Oral Treatment
If your dog already has yeast infections, oral treatment can be applied to alleviate and treat the condition. Oral treatment is effective against severe, recurrent cases of dog yeast infections. Ensure only oral topical treatment from a proven Veterinary clinic in Pearland, TX guarantees authenticity. Professional handling is important as some of these treatments can be dangerous when wrongly applied.
3.) Topical Treatment
These treatment types involve the use of creams and oils on affected areas of a dog’s skin. Special shampoos, soaps, hair oils and anti-fungal creams are some topical treatment solutions for dog skin dermatitis. Some of these compounds contain benzoyl peroxide which is an effective antifungal agent. Application can be done every few days until treatment is certain.
